fusillade

noun

fu·​sil·​lade ˈfyü-sə-ˌläd 

-ˌlād,

ˌfyü-sə-ˈläd,

-ˈlād,

-zə-

1

a

: a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession

b

: something that gives the effect of a fusillade

a fusillade of rocks and bottles

2

: a spirited outburst especially of criticism

Synonyms

• barrage
• flurry

Examples of fusillade in a Sentence

A fusillade of bullets filled the courtyard.

responded calmly to the fusillade of criticism leveled at his design for the memorial

Recent Examples on the Web

Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images Overview: Iron Dome's performance could be Golden Dome's opportunity Israel and Iran resumed fire exchanges at the end of last week, and space and defense enthusiasts have been following the fusillades. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 20 June 2025

Her eye for detail also brings alive the surreal sensory fusillade of the couple’s improbable rescue by the Wolmi 306, a South Korean fishing ship, and the celebrity that followed in its wake: photo ops, game-show appearances, a filmed visit to SeaWorld. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025

Will Musk’s fusillades sink the ‘big, beautiful bill’? —Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 June 2025

Iranian news reports said a new fusillade of missiles had been fired toward Israel. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from fusiller "to shoot with a musket volley" (from fusil fusil entry 2 + -iller, causative prefix, going back to Latin -iculāre, derivative of -iculum, instrumental and diminutive suffix) + -ade -ade

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for fusillade

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed

Kids Definition

fusillade

noun

fu·​sil·​lade ˈfyü-sə-ˌläd 

-ˌlād,

-zə-;

ˌfyü-sə-ˈläd,

-ˈlād,

-zə-

1

: a number of shots fired at the same time or rapidly one after another

2

: something like a fusillade of shots

a fusillade of rocks

3

: an outburst especially of criticism